Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 28 near Mohave, AZ — 2017-08-19

Final reportGAA17CA503
Sign in to save
Date
2017-08-19
Location
Mohave, AZ, USA
Airport
A20
Aircraft
PIPER PA 28
Registration
N536CA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper airspeed and pitch control during landing in variable, gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the approach to the desert airport, the wind had increased to about 15 knots, and it was gusting. He reported that, during landing, "a gust of wind hit me from the opposite direction of flight causing a stall." The airplane stalled about 8 ft above the runway and landed hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts. The METAR at the nearest airport (7 miles from accident airport) reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 4 knots. An hour later, the METAR reported that the wind was 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

Related mishaps